A leopard can never change its spots.

The judge, who is famed for his love of the more eccentric contestants, has insisted he is not worried about Simon’s changes to the show, as he has already found one “different” hopeful he wants through to the live stages of the competition.

Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment
Louis Walsh is up to his old tricks, despite Simon trying to change 'The X Factor' format

Speaking to HuffPost UK and other journalists at the ‘X Factor’ press launch, Louis - who is responsible for the likes of Jedward and Wagner - said: “There’s one person that I know should make the live shows, who is different to everybody else. I asked this person to go for the show. That’s all I’m going to say.”

Asked if Simon’s clamp down on novelty acts was in response to the backlash the show received over rapper Honey G last year, he said: “Honey G was different, every year is different on ‘The X Factor’, you have to watch.

“There’s somebody you’re going to love – and I asked this person to go for it.”